Featured Story
Our Bodies are Our Instruments
Thursday, January 15, 2009How the Performers Stay Fit and Healthy
Jeanette Marie Hanley
If John, an accountant, gains a few pounds or gets lethargic, it doesn’t demonstrably affect his overall performance. He can still do the math.
Wisconsin winters have been known to steal your soul, however, a ray of sunlight in this challenging season is the artists and performers. If anyone has a special method to maintain the overall health of both body and spirit, it’s the dancers, singers and actors in Milwaukee. The manner in which they go about this body and sanity maintenance is unique to each performer.
Colleen Brooks, a mezzo-soprano, is an apprentice artist with the Florentine Opera. She has performed the roles of Kate Pinkerton in MADAMA BUTTERFLY, among many others. Brooks says she considers singing an athletic event, an activity requiring total coordination of all aspects of body, mind and psyche. Like other performers, Brooks said in a Wisconsin winter, it’s critical to be hydrated. “I drink a lot of water,” Brooks said. “I probably drink at least the recommended eight glasses a day.”
Hydration becomes even more important when singing in dry environments as well as during seasonal changes such as the recent freezing of Milwaukee this winter. On the other hand, Brooks thinks you can overdo the water thing. “There are singers who don’t like to drink a lot of water before singing as they feel it clears the natural environment of the vocal tract and makes them feel dry.”
Tension is an enemy of anyone who takes the stage. “A performer needs to use one’s body freely, effortlessly and efficiently as possible to achieve their artistic potential.” Some winter activities Brooks swears by include acupuncture, massage, meditation and general exercise. “I’m into triathlons so I do a lot of running, swimming and biking.”
Brooks addresses a physical obstacle to performing unique to women. “There is often a swelling of the vocal chords at one phase of the monthly cycle and again, all female singers are affected to differing degrees,” Brooks said.
“I’ll notice if I’ve eaten well or not,” said Jeanette Marie Hanley, a dancer with the Milwaukee Ballet Company. Hanley grew up in the mountain air of Denver, Colo., and received her training in Denver, the performing arts school of Virginia, San Francisco Ballet and Feld Ballet, all on full scholarships. “I try to eat healthy and a bit of everything. I am blessed to have a capable metabolism so I don’t have to watch my calories or fat, but that is not the case for all dancers.”
Many people would kill for that kind of metabolism, but Hanley speaks of it as a convenience rather than a gift. Being light or trim is one of the essential rigors of the job of a company dancer. “It is essential for us to be thin for several
reasons—not only for the ethereal look—but for the the health of the male dancer’s backs and it’s just easier to move without extra weight.
“I love the elliptical trainer,” Hanley said. “It’s my regimen. I also mix in some Pilates exercises and yoga.” Hanley looks at the gym as her sanctuary, time away from the world. She listens to her music and doesn’t have to answer to anyone.
“I also have a five-year-old daughter and she keeps me on my toes, for sure,” Hanley said. “Most female dancers should avoid too much weight lifting because it takes away from our ethereal look.”
Regarding sleep, Hanley says she never gets as much as she knows she requires. “I should get more, as sleep is important for our bodies’ healing process, but those of you who have kids know it’s impossible to get everything done and sleep eight hours.”
Not surprisingly, professional dance can be as stressful as any job. “I work out regularly on top of my dancing,” Hanley said. “I feel 100 times better than when I don’t work out. Less gets to me. Some chocolate, a movie and a good game of Go-Fish with the kids help me relax.”
David Cecsarini is the artistic director of Next Act Theatre and says he keeps in shape, mentally and physically, whenever he has the time. “It depends on how busy I am,” Cecsarini says. “I try to jog and run about three times a week.” In the winter, he spends more time in the gym doing a combination of work for the whole body.
“Mostly it makes a difference in my head,” Cesarini said of working out. “You feel better and you’re able to do more. You’re able to focus on what you have to do. In the winter, to cure the blahs, I eat a lot of popcorn.”
Walt Boyer, music specialist at Atwater School in Shorewood, says it’s mostly common sense stuff. Boyer has appeared numerous times as soloist with the Milwaukee Symphony and has performed in a variety of productions with the Skylight and Florentine Opera.
Performers have to be aware of the germ factor if they want to stay healthy and available to perform. This is the same for teachers. “I knew a performer who wouldn’t shake hands,” Boyer said. “You have to be careful and wash your hands constantly. I find myself washing my hands out of self-preservation. You can sing over a cold,” he explained. “It has to be the right kind of cold. You get stuffy, but your voice is intact.”
“It’s not like I do musical theater,” explains actor Norman Moses, a veteran of the Milwaukee stage. “Excessive drinking can dehydrate you, especially if you’re in a singing role. Drinking in moderation is fine, in fact, I think it’s healthy.”
Moses says he utilizes a high-protein diet, low in carbohydrates. “I eat a lot of vegetables, chicken, fish and some red meat. I enjoy spicy peppers in food. That’s the secret to a long life,” he joked. “I do enjoy pasta now and then, and try to stay away from too many sweet things. Sugar, in general, is no good and salt isn’t good either.”
He tries to catch a massage whenever possible. Moses also recognizes the benefit of rest and enough sleep. “As someone who enjoys sleeping, I feel it’s very important to have at least 7-10 hours a night.” Moses believes lack of sleep can add to feelings of depression, and can lead to injury when performing.
“Running on empty, without energy, is a bad idea for any performer,” Moses said. “Naps are good, even just closing your eyes for a while can help, especially on two-show days.”
So, it’s just common sense when you want to stay healthy and fit now and through the rest of your life. Eat your vegetables, enjoy anything in moderation, get enough sleep, and stay active and interested.
